The Best Wine Bars in Oakland

Napa Valley Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.1 (837) • $$

"Napa Valley Bistro was incredible. It is kind of outside of downtown Napa so the area is fairly quiet. We were surprised that for a Saturday lunch, there were not a lot of people there. I brought my friends here to celebrate someone's 21st birthday. The inside had a beautiful long painting of the mountains and there were wooden tables that had wine glasses set up. They're truly living in the "wine culture."I wish I remembered the server's name but she was such a lovely lady. She was very nice and was able to provide a sweet cake surprise for my friend turning 21. The cake piece was too big for everyone and everyone's dishes were given at quite a generous portion.I bought the Summer Spring Vegetable Risotto. I love how the risotto just melts when you eat it. The seasonal vegetables were extremely well done for the taste and I couldn't have asked a better way to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday.There is a spot where you can make reservations, but for the most part, walking in should be fine."

District - Oakland

★★★★☆ 3.8 (913) • $$

"We were extremely disappointed this time around.. we came for happy hour, who isn't a sucker for happy hour right? We started off with 1/2 dozen oysters at $1.5/each, it was good so we ordered another 1/2 dozen. The fact that they had just opened, and they ran out, tells me they don't order on a daily basis.. they did offer to give us an appetizer on the house. The options were limited so we opted for another Brussel sprouts. The Brussels weren't bad but it was just a tad too sweet. Very little bacon, but i guess good enough to order again? We had already ordered a basket of fries and that was mid. It was stale, not hot out the fryer. Wasn't a fan. We also ordered the beef sliders, and immediately when it got to the table, it smelled fishy. And it hit me, it smelled like raw beef that had been sitting for a few days in its own blood for 3-4 days, and once it hits hot oil in a pan, that burnt beef edges immediately start to smell salty/fishy. I went home and it just didn't sit well with me so i did a quick google search and i was right.. it's disappointing overall at this point.. drinks: i ordered an espresso martini, and that signature look of the foam on top with the espresso beans and taste of fresh espresso? None of that. I ordered another drink after but.. that never came.. these were all items we got from the happy hour, bc that's the whole point of a happy hour our bill came, and to our surprise... my drink i never got was on there.. and the white wine my friend ordered from the happy hour... was actually not from the happy hour.. he didn't mention that, we went from a wine that's maybe $7 to paying $18 for a glass.. needless to say... it was not a happy hour lol it's disappointing because we have come here before several times and it's hard to find a place with happy hour on a Monday.. it just wasn't satisfying for what we paid."

Hôtel Biron

★★★★☆ 4.2 (601) • $$

"If you fancy an intimate wine bar to converse quietly w/friends or charm your date in a relaxed setting, this is THE PERFECT SPOT.I'm weary they'll be packing them in once word gets out that they've opened back up post-pandemic. But alas, they "are" OPEN again (YAY!) and we need to celebrate and support gems like this. Note: menu, hrs, etc subject to change but current as of 05:01/22FYI: It is NOT a hotel. It is a wine bar/art gallery tucked away in an alley in SF's Hayes ValleyMENU: https://hotelbironwinebar.com/menuWINE: Order by the glass (generous pours!) or bottle from a well-curated, rotating selection of (red, white, sparkling) wines. They offer sake and artisan beer too. FLIGHTS: A trio of wine flights, vermouth flights, sake flights (changes)FOOD: limited, typical wine bar fare: cheese and charcuterie, crackers, chips, nutsAMBIANCE: This is the big draw for me. Speakeasy vibe, intimate, relaxed, rustic interior w/red brick walls, warm and inviting, romantic, dim lighting, candlelight, cozy, quiet, artsy, low-key, unpretentious. Cool background music eases you into a relaxed mood but is not loud, so you're not competing w/it and shouting to be heard. Equipped w/2 comfy couches, short/tall bistro chairs and tables, a cute tiny bar w/stools, and a revolving exhibition of local art that lines the walls.PERFECT FOR: Date night (so romantic!), after-work drinks, girls night out (for quiet convos), small groups (please stay away if you're the loud, rowdy set because a big part of the charm here is that it's relatively quiet compared to other bars/lounges) SERVICE: Attentive, fast, friendly (KJ is fabulous and very knowledgeable about the wine, so she'll help you make the right drink choice to mark the end of your eve.)HOURS: Open late EVERY single night 5pm-1am (nocturnal urbanites rejoice)! A quiet SF wine bar that's open late every night should be on the endangered biz list. So many sml businesses like this count on regular clientele to keep the doors open, so show your support by dropping by! Sun-Tues are slower and less-busy, so those nights are esp great for sml groups. First date? Then maybe the busier Thur-Frid nights (or an event night) may ease those first-date jitters. HAPPY- HOUR: 5-6pm daily ($7 vino!) EVENTS: They host cool, curated events like brand releases, art openings, etc. Check out their FB or IG page so you don't miss out! LOCATION: Remember, it's not a hotel. It's tucked in an alley right behind the popular Zuni Cafe. If ubering, go to Zuni Cafe and just walk behind it into Rose St alley until you come to a nondescript door that grants entry into this little gem. If taking Muni, get off on VanNess station (BART - get off at Civic Center) and just walk a few minutes West on Market St 'til you see Zuni Cafe and go right into Rose St. alley. CAPACITY: About 40 people max seating capacity. So hurry before hipsters get hold of this spot and you no longer get a table! I honestly can't believe it's been under the radar for this long. Mixed feelings abt sharing this review because I hate that it might get too crowded once people are smitten by its charm. I ADORE this lovely little wine bar and you will too! It's a welcome respite from a long day of working. Highly recommend."

Baci Bistro & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (701) • $$

"Definitely recommend this place if you are looking for italian food. The ambience is good. I really liked the salmon, it was well done. For small plates I liked the fried risotto balls. Service is also good."

La Strada

★★★★☆ 4 (543) • $$

"I can't say anything bad about La Strada. Olivia, Carlos, the entire staff are amazing. The location is always super clean, no dust, organized, clean. It's a been a go to spot for my team for the past 18 months. Way too good to be overlooked."

Hop & Vine

★★★★☆ 3.9 (537) • $$

"A lovely place to meet friends. Great menu to pair with wine. Love the samosas and the Brie with prosciutto. The service was attentive and our server was bright smiles. Only complaint is the music was a bit loud. Love the atmosphere and the window table was great."

Vinum Japanese Fusion & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (426) • $$

"We had an incredible dining experience at this hidden gem my boyfriend found on Yelp for our last minute "fri-date"! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was inviting. Our server, Jack, was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with great recommendations. Each dish was a delightful surprise and beautifully presented. This place exceeded all our expectations--highly recommend!! Jack even gave us these sparkling yuzu shots that were smooth and refreshing!! Hamachi Kama was my favorite dish and I was so excited I didn't even get to take a photo lol must try!!"

Lucy Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (435) • $$

"Beautiful restaurant. Both indoor and outdoor seating areas were very pleasant. We came here on a weekday, so it was pretty quiet and empty. Throughout the night, there was only one other party in the restaurant. We ordered the Roasted Chicken, Short Ribs, Halibut, and a side of mushrooms. They also gave us Chips and Guacamole on the house because the chicken would've taken a bit longer to come out. Everything here wasn't bad.- The roasted chicken was pretty dry, but the flavor that the creamy sauce gave it was good.- The halibut also wasn't bad.- The short ribs were my favorite. They were very tender, and the sweet and salty flavor kind of seemed Asian-inspired. - The mushrooms were delicious, but they were pretty salty. They tasted great paired with the entrees though.- The guacamole was also delicious. It was light and creamy. Overall, had a great meal here. The food wasn't bad, and the ambiance and service really made for a relaxing dining experience."

The Cook and Her Farmer

★★★★☆ 3.9 (449) • $$

"They're normally closed on Sundays, but we visited this past weekend for the Summer Jazz Brunch Series featuring Jazz Mafia musicians and a menu of delectable bites including shrimp and grits, grilled oysters, and buckwheat waffles. We had the big sur melt, raw oysters, and the daily sandwich special, as well as a delightful watermelon margarita and a michelada. Everything was tasty. I especially enjoyed the savory, crisp grilled cheese filled with yummy shrimp and melty cheese. It was quite a lovely setting. The outdoor seating near the live music was taken/reserved but the indoor seating had an open air feel, all of the tables available since the other businesses at Swan's Market are closed on Sundays. We waited about 45 minutes in line to order and 20 minutes for our order to be ready, but the farmer gave out some wine to waiting customers. And we got to listen to the awesome sounds of jazz musicians performing for guests, showcasing plenty of talent on that patio stage.  Besides the long wait time in the early afternoon, service was great, workers cleaning up the tables and keeping the place beautiful, and the staff was friendly and helpful, making everyone feel welcome. We had a pleasant time."

Neumanali

★★★★☆ 4 (415) • $$$

"We went to neumanali for an engagement/ birthday celebration. The ambiance is very nice, cozy and homey. The service was amazing! Constantly checking in to ensure we had everything we needed and everyone was very pleasant. Food was amazing especially the scallop and rack of lamb. So much flavor and seasoned perfectly!Thank you neumanali for the amazing food & service!"

Brix & Craft

★★★★★ 4.6 (254) • $$

"This establishment from food, to craft cocktails, to service, music selection & ambiance has been nothing but outstanding! The selection of food & craft cocktails is amazing. The drink I got is Luna Amore & it literally stole my heart. You can tell the mixologists really have perfected the taste of every drink.Now the service, also very exceptional! Brayden is who took care of us, & he was so attentive & answered all of our questions. (Good service isn't easy to come by these days so HUGE kudos to him.) Will definitely be coming back for the service & drinks."

Pietro's No 2 Ristorante Bar & Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.5 (435) • $$

"Pietro's is my go to from Italian food. Growing up on every birthday my family went there for the best pizza in town. It is still my favorite."

Cafenated Coffee Company

★★★★☆ 3.8 (364) • $$

"The place is beautiful and spacious! We wanted the outside seating but it was filled. The outside seating is full of greenery and has a lot of seats (but this place is too popular to find one lol). The indoor seating is spacious and the tables are spacious enough for studying for multiple people.The Vietnamese coffee tasted great. It was good and the presentation was cool with the coffee being in a beaker like cup. It was a bit different from a traditional Vietnamese coffee, but still good. The white mocha was great as well!The bagel was great too! Highly recommend.The bags"

Pietro's No 1

★★★★☆ 3.5 (429) • $$

"This is the steak sandwich of your dreams! I was impressed with how yummy the sandwich was and shocked at how generous the portion was. Don't hesitate to order it. Delicious! Also, make sure to order the minestrone as your side. The GM, Dawn, was hospitable and gave excellent advice on navigating Vacaville/Sacramento traffic since I was coming through Pietro's from the Bay Area. My bartender, Gloria, recommended the sandwich, minestrone soup, and Deloach Pinot Noir. They all paired well together. Thank you! I enjoyed the country music playing and was happy to wait out the traffic in this fun venue."

Cafe Meuse

★★★★☆ 4.3 (272) • $$

"Great wine and servers. We had a fabulous time here. Highly recommend if you are in the area!"

Blossom and Root Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.6 (206)

"Came here on a Saturday night for dinner with the boo. We were very eager to explore what this restaurant had to offer in terms of vegan (and gluten free) items, and boy we were impressed! We were seated right away and had a lovely server. Loved the decor with all the hanging plants (screams the crazy plant lady in me...) I started off with a Mandarin Mojito, which was delicious. It's fruity and tangy, but refreshing like a spritzer. #'Crab' Cakes - as someone who's a self-proclaimed crab lover, I wouldn't say the texture was the same, BUT they were really delicious. These were crispy on the outside and slightly gooey on the inside with some texture (?stringiness) from the mushroom. Loved the pickled onions on top to add a bite of acidity.#Smash Burger - We got this with a side of potato salad. The first round came out with burnt buns, which rendered the burger inedible. We conveyed this to our server, and were quickly given a new burger on the house to enjoy. The potato salad was delicious; I like it with a tang of mustard, which this definitely delivered. The burger itself was also quite good. I can't believe the bread was gluten free!#Mushroom Steak Salad - This was the winner of the night. I still couldn't believe the 'blue cheese' was actually cashew based! The mushrooms were cooked to perfection and had such a wonderfully 'meaty' flavor and texture. I'd turn vegan for this salad alone. All in all a wonderful meal service. There were some hiccups with one of the entrees, however we were met with wonderful service and quick resolutions. We will definitely be back to try more of their menu!"

Enoteca Molinari

★★★★☆ 4.1 (243) • $$

"The food is phenomenal. The owner is charming and more than approachable. The man knows his Italian wines. Just ask him for a recommendation. Very classy, romantic setting. Hands down the best Italian restaurant in the bay. There I said it"

Pizza Express

★★★★☆ 3.9 (190) • $

"If you want the biggest and the best pizza in the area, this is definitely the place to go. I remember when I first moved to Castro valley, one of the drivers drove up to the house and gasped when he had learned the old homeowners had moved and we replaced them. Gave us a very warm welcome to the neighborhood -- mind you, the first of our neighborhood to really welcome us, so that was quite a great service. Come several years later, we're still ordering pizza from pizza express as simply put, there's no better. My favorite is a traditional thick crust supreme pizza with tomato basil with pepperoni, ham, sausage, linguica... etc. A slice of that with a cup of ranch is just perfect."

Heroic Italian

★★★★☆ 4.4 (138) • $$

"Very good food. Great location and outdoor seating. Also good service. Yes its not cheap but the food is quality and feels more authentic italian than most berkeley digs. Hope they continue to do a good business"

Nilo Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (92)

"Only for entering. Looks not equipped for a busy afternoon. Probably about 6 parties seated. Came in, with eye contact and no greeting. Waited a few minutes and left. Seemed like only one person working the floor."

Cafenated Coffee

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (120)

"Similar to the old location, the intentionality in creating a beautiful atmosphere and serving great drinks is present. I've ordered the strawberry matcha latte, rooibos tea, oat chai latte - all have been consistently great. It is almost always packed but doesn't affect the friendly service. Lots of seating options and outlets, so it's great for work. The only con is parking and foot traffic in the area is congested."

Oenotri

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"Oenotri, nestled in the heart of Napa, is a gem for Italian cuisine enthusiasts. Renowned for its Margherita pizza, this spot takes the classic to new heights with a crunchy dough and a savory crust that perfectly balances texture and flavor. The addition of a chili oil sauce adds a delightful kick, making each bite a harmonious blend of spice and authenticity.Beyond pizza, Oenotri excels in its pasta offerings, showcasing a mastery of traditional Italian dishes that leave a lasting impression. However, the standout is undeniably the Margherita pizza. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a trip to Oenotri is a must for experiencing this exceptional pizza."

Millennium

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$$

"Food was EXCELLENT, service was excellent, ambiance was excellent. This restaurant is my top 2 favorite vegan spot (other would be wild seed in sf). The menu is seasonal and the dishes are paired so well with the flavor. 10/10 will be back soon :)"

Cole's Chop House

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"Came here to celebrate a birthday and what a special experience! We were greeted at the start with a birthday card from Cole's which was a nice touch. Our server was kind and attentive, as well as other staff!We ordered the dry aged porterhouse steak medium rare. The steak had a nice umami and nutty flavor. And paired well with our sides the sautéed mushrooms and lobster Mac and cheese (special side). Both sides were also very delicious!! We also ordered non-alcoholic cocktails which tasted and looked great!Cole's Chop House has an elevated, welcoming atmosphere. I could tell they have many regulars, so that was nice to see. We had a lovely time and a great dinner here!"